The cheapest and fastest trains from Guildford to Cardiff
Cheapest price
£36
Average price
£48
Fastest journey
2 h 36 m
Average duration
3 h 1 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
183 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Guildford to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Guildford to Cardiff will cost around £48 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £36.
Of the 2 trains that leave Guildford for Cardiff every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 183 km distance in an average of 3 h 1 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 36 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 26 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Guildford to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Guildford to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £14. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 7m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £14, and a train costs an average of £34.
Distance: 183 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach |
|---|---|
£59 Average Price | £25 Average Price Cheapest |
2h 37m Average total duration Fastest 2h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 27m Average total duration 4h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Guildford to Cardiff train times
The table below shows live departures for Guildford to Cardiff trains for tomorrow, Sunday 30 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 07:52 Guildford | 2h36 | 10:28 Cardiff | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 12:08 Guildford | 3h26 | 15:34 Cardiff | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Guildford to Cardiff by train or coach
Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
30 Nov
01 Dec
02 Dec
03 Dec
04 Dec
05 Dec
06 Dec
Journey information
Overview: Train from Guildford to Cardiff
Trains from Guildford to Cardiff run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 7m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £34 but you can travel from only £14 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:07, the last at 22:28. The fastest train covers the 183 km distance in 2h 9m.
Distance 183 km |
Average train duration 2h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price £34 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 2h 9m |
First train 05:07 |
Last train 22:28 |
Train companies: Great Western Rail, South Western Railway, first_great_western from Guildford to Cardiff trainsGreat Western Rail, South Western Railway, first_great_western trains will get you between Guildford and Cardiff from £14. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Great Western Rail
South Western Railway
first_great_western
FAQs: Guildford to Cardiff train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Guildford to Cardiff by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cardiff, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Guildford and Cardiff
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:10 - 22:00 Saturday 06:10 - 22:00 Sunday 06:20 - 22:00
- Car Park: Smart Car Spaces
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: There is level access to the booking hall and all platforms from the main entrance in Walnut Tree Close. There is no step free access from the Guildford Park Road entrance. There is step free access to and interchange between all platforms via steep ramps. A staff operated powered wheelchair is available for customers. Please speak to a member of staff or our Assisted Travel team.
- Accessible taxis: The taxi rank is located outside the main station entrance (platform 2)
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 2, next to the subway ramp. The National key toilets are located on Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key. A radar key is available from station staff upon request. A 'National Key Scheme' key [RADAR] can be purchased by contacting the following. Address: 12 City Forum, 250 City Road, London, EC1V 8AF. Tel: 020 7250 3222. Minicom: 020 7250 4119. Fax: 020 7250 0212. Email: [email protected]
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Waiting rooms location: yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Car parks 1 & 2
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Bus lay-by in Station Forecourt off Walnut Tree Close.
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:30 - 13:00 Saturday 09:00 - 14:00 Sunday Closed
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 2.
- National key toilets: No
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Waiting rooms location: Both platforms.
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Platform 2 and car park
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Guildford Side of station - Station Forecourt
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category B. The platform has level access from Bute Street and Lloyd George Avenue.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) take cash, and major debit and credit cards.
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Onward travel information: There is a bus stop outside the station.
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Wait at the bus stop close to the station entrance on Bute Street
- Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 07:30 - 18:30 Saturday 09:30 - 15:30 Sunday Closed
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Category B3. While both platforms are step-free, there is no facility for wheelchair users, mobility scooter users or persons with reduced mobility to cross between Platform 1 and 2 due to a steep footbridge. Customers who have travelled from the Valleys and wish to access the University or the Civic Centre are advised to travel to Queen Street station, change onto a North-bound service and alight at Cathays on the return service.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) take cash, and major debit and credit cards. The machine on the Cardiff-bound platform is only available during staffing hours. The machine on the Pontypridd-bound platform is available all the time.
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Travelodge
- Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 03333 211202
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Arrival screens
- Onward travel information: The nearest bus stop is on Park Place
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: At the bus stops adjacent to the Cardiff University Students' Union on Park Place
- Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 07:40 - 18:00 Sunday 10:00 - 15:30 Temporary opening hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machines are near the main entrance and take cash and major debit and credit cards.
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 4. The National key toilets are located on the Main Concourse to the right of the Ticket Office; these toilets are operated by a radar key and are only available during staffing hours.
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Travelodge
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: to the right of the station front
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 03333 211202
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Onward travel information: Limited service from stop outside station Mondays to Fridays
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: For services towards Cardiff Central use the bus stop at the front of the station. For services towards Cathays use the bus stop in front of the shop opposite the station entrance. Please ask a member of station staff if you are unsure of which stop to use.
- Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sun: 07:30 - 21:30
- Free Wi-Fi in the station.
- Type of shops available: News agent and convenience store
- Car Park: Brewery Car park
- Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen
- Pret a Manger
- Tesco Express
- Taxi: Taxi rank is on the right as you exit the main station entrance
- There is step-free access in the whole station. There are also ramps for train access and elevators in the station.
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platforms 1 to 8. The National Key toilets are located in the East Subway near the lifts and on Platform 8; these toilets are operated by a radar key and are only available during staffing hours.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The National Key/Accessible toilets are located in the East Subway near the lifts and on Platform 8; these toilets are operated by a RADAR key and are only available during staffing hours.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Clayton Hotel Cardiff
- Cardiff Marriott Hotel
- Travelodge Cardiff Central
- Waiting rooms location: On platforms 1/2, 3/4, 6/7 and 8.
- Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sun: 07:30 - 21:30
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: East end of platforms 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 6 and 7 - also at the front and rear of the station.
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Commuter rail lines: City Line, Rhondda Line, Rhymney Line, Valley Line, South Wales Main Line
- Train lines: Transport for Wales, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: At the rear car park (Penarth Road entrance)
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